Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Tyler Hansbrough scored 23 points, including a critical baby hook (“Shotput-jump-hook- Hansbrough Special” according to Roy Williams), over Laurynas Mikalauskas with 21 seconds to play Tuesday night, and the Tar Heels once again survived a surprising challenge before holding on in a 75-74 victory over Virginia.

The Tar Heels (23-2, 8-2 ACC), coming off a double overtime victory against Clemson on Sunday, got all they could handle from the Wahoos, who had lost nine of 10 but played nothing like a team in a hopeless free fall.

The Cavs had four opportunities late to tie before Hansbrough made it a five point game to avoid any end game Hoo heroics.

Virginia (11-12, 1-9), trying to avoid its first 1-9 start in the league since the 1976-77 season, came up short, but not without its best showing in almost a month.Wayne Ellington added 19 points and Deon Thompson 12 for North Carolina.

Sean Singletary scored 27 points to lead the Cavaliers, but several other players made big plays—an element that has been sorely lacking during the big skid. Singletary has now scored in double figures in 45 straight games.

Carolina shot 52% while UVA shot just 37%. UNC was 6-16 from behind the arc (37%) while the Hoos were 9 for 31 (29%). Carolina out rebounded the Cavs 40 to 33, but spotted them ten turnovers (17-7). In an unusual turn, the Heels only made 7 of 12 free throws (58%), while Virginia knocked down 9 of 11 (82%).

Marcus Ginyard who was thought to be out for the game with a sprained ankle played 35 minutes.

North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough shoots over Virginia defenders during the second half and North Carolina's Marcus Ginyard, left, watches as Virginia's Sean Singletary grabs a rebound during the first half. (AP Photos/Andrew Shurtleff)

WHERE IN THE WORLD...?

The way it is...

The way it was...

TAH DAMN GOOD CAUSE OF THE MONTH

NORTHERN HAITI HOPE FOUNDATION: After our recent trip to Haiti, we vowed to do more to help. Clean water is a critical issue for all Haitians. It's particularly problematic for those in rural areas. For $2,000 to $5,000 we can build a new well in a rural village as part of a program facilitated by the St. Barthelemy School and the Warrenton, VA Rotary. Send your donation to Wells of Health and Hope, c/o GPetty-VTA, 38 Garrett Street, Warrenton, VA 20186 and keep your eye on T.A.H. for progress reports. Thanks! CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE INFO.